Side effects | NSAR – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Side effects

Allergic reactions: Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract: Liver and kidney damage: Edema formation: Water retention in arms and legs Psychological side effect: In rare cases it can lead to sleep disturbance and psychosis

  • Skin rash (redness, itching)
  • Blood pressure drop
  • Shock
  • All NSAIDs ́s must never be taken on an empty stomach. If the patient’s medical history includes a stomach or intestinal ulcer, the doctor should carefully weigh up the dosage. In addition, a stomach protection preparation should be prescribed (e.g. omeprazole, pantoprazole).

    The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding has the following risk increase: Dicolfenac < Ibuprofen < Indometacin

  • In particular in combination of different NSAR ́s the bleeding risk increases
  • Often NSAIDs ́s cause gastritis. The inflammation of the gastric mucosa is caused by the direct absorption of the NSAID ́s via the stomach. However, absorption in the form of a suppository can also trigger gastritis via the bloodstream.

    However, the risk is lower in this case.

  • Continuous intake of ibuprofen can lead to liver and kidney damage, in case of existing liver or kidney diseases the use of NSAIDs ́s must be carefully checked. In case of continuous intake, the liver and kidney values should be checked at regular intervals.

The side effect stomach inflammation occurs very frequently when taking NSAIDs, which means that more than one in ten people treated report this side effect. Symptoms of stomach inflammation include stomach pain, stomach cramps, stomach ulcers, bleeding, nausea and vomiting.

These symptoms may seem harmless at first, but should not be underestimated. Peptic ulcers can expand to breakthroughs and require life-saving surgery. Stomach bleeding can lead to severe blood loss.

This is manifested in fatigue, weakness, dizziness and fainting spells. Because side effects are so common in the stomach, stomach protection tablets should always be taken in addition to NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short, mainly act on the enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, which are two enzymes of the prostaglandin metabolism, due to their inhibitory effect.Prostaglandins are important messenger substances of the human body in several different organ systems.

The inhibition of cyclooxygenases by NSAIDs also affects the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of colitis can occur. These are intestinal cramps, diarrhea, constipation and the discharge of blood with stool.

Side effects caused by NSAIDs in the intestine are common. This means that in one to ten out of every 100 people treated, the side effect of colitis occurs. The inhibition of cyclooxygenases places particular strain on the salt and water balance of kidneys that have already been damaged.

This can lead to chronic kidney inflammation or temporary acute kidney failure. The kidneys also regulate blood pressure to a large extent. NSAIDs can lead to fluctuations in blood pressure and, as a result, to an uneven and inadequate blood supply to the kidneys themselves.

NSAIDs also weaken the effect of blood pressure-lowering drugs. Side effects on the kidneys, however, occur rarely. Asthmatic complaints as a side effect of taking NSAIDs occur occasionally.

One to ten out of every 1000 people treated are therefore affected. The classic symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, a tightness in the chest and dizziness may occur. Behind this side effect is an interesting biochemical fact.

NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins. Compensatory more so-called leukotrienes are formed. These in turn constrict the bronchi. The excessive production of leukotrienes therefore promotes the development of asthmatic complaints.